Le Creuset!!

I must preface this story by telling you I am a long time fan of Williams Sonoma, and especially their outlet store! (How could I not be? My sister and I went to the outlet last week and got peppermint dish soap, countertop cleaner, and hand soap for two dollars a piece!!) I have never had an issue with their products or services until a few weeks ago....

Several weeks ago, Todd and I finally went to Williams Sonoma to purchase the Le Creuset dutch oven I have been coveting...okay maybe coveting is a little much, but I have definately been wanting it for a long time! It was on sale, and I have always wanted it in red, so we asked an associate to pull one from the back for us. We got to the counter, and I was looking at the box as they took a long time to ring us up. I noticed the color on the box was 'flame'....that did not seem right, flame was the orange color I wasn't a huge fan of I thought to myself. Long story short, they were out of red, and thought they would slip this orange dutch oven right into my arms...are they kidding me?!?! So, they had to order it from their warehouse and have it shipped. A little over a week later, a large box was delivered to our house from Williams Sonoma. It was about 4' high, and had a 3' x 3' base. I thought, wow...I don't remember registering for anything this big - some of our family or friends must have really been generous with a wedding gift! I opened it to find one piece of packing paper that clearly was serving no purpose, and my Le Creuset dutch oven in it's box way down at the bottom of the huge empty space. I know it is no surprise when I tell you that the dutch oven had a crack that practically split it in half! So, we took it back to the store to ask for a replacement. It was then that they told us it was on backorder until February and they would put in a replacement order. Did they try yet again to push anything into my arms in order to fulfill the order? So, now that I have made a short story long, we recieved a box from Williams Sonoma today. I was so surprised to open the box and it be my dutch oven...in red...and in tact!! Here it is - finally!!

If we didn't already have dinner plans, I would be making roast chicken, or stew, or beouf bourguignon! In fact, we have dinner plans all weekend - I kind of wish this was going to be a lay around the house and snuggle on the couch watching movies weekend. But, it's not! I'm sure my dutch oven will get plenty of use -- I will let it have a few days of rest before putting it to work!

Oh I almost forgot to share these pictures...Breck LOVED the air thingies that came in the box, and ran all over the house with them! We eventually put him in the box to play and he stayed in it for over an hour - he even took a nap in it after he wore himself out burrowing in the packing material! He's a nut - how boring was our life before him? Such a cutie :)

Busy, busy, busy!!!

I have been horrible at updating my blog since the move to Orlando. I cannot describe how busy things have been. So, here is the rundown to get you up to date. Then, I promise I will post much more frequently!

-Some wonderful family friends threw me a surprise shower in mid-November. The theme was holiday decor so I got lots of wonderful decorations, candles, ornaments and platters! The best part was that it was a brunch shower with shrimp and grits, desserts, and mimosas!!

-The rehearsal dinner and wedding went off perfectly! I was so calm and enjoyed it - in fact, I wish I could get married every weekend! My feet had horrible blisters on them from dancing all night at our reception, but it was worth it!

-We went to Maui for a week on our honeymoon and had an amazing time! We stayed at the Ritz Carlton, and enjoyed the gorgeous views, great food, and our beautiful suite. However, Delta lost our luggage for our first three days, and Todd was sick with a fever of 103 for the next 2 days after getting our luggage. But we still had so much fun and were able to fit in a bike ride, a Maui invitational basketball game, ziplining, a luau, and of course lots of good food and sun time! oh yes, and we spent Thanksgiving in Hawaii and had the best Thanksgiving buffet dinner at the Ritz dining room.

-We returned home to Orlando and spent the next two weeks nesting and playing catch up before heading to Atlanta, Kentucky, and Nashville to visit all of our families for Christmas and New Years.

-After Christmas, Todd who swore we would never get any pets, gave in and we bought a maltese puppy who is so dang cute. We don't know what we did before him! He truly keeps us entertained and busy! Breck is now such a part of our family!

-Todd went to Las Vegas last week for work, and I spent the week in Atlanta with my family. My sister's kids loved Breck and now are asking for a puppy of their own! Oh, and I also threw a surprise baby shower (co-hosted by my friend Shaylan) for our friend Lisa Anne and her husband Chris in Atlanta. Chris was in on it, but Lisa Anne was so surprised!!!

So, we have now completed yet another trip to Atlanta and got home last night. It was so good to be back to our routine, and of course Breck was excited to have all of his familiar things back. Back to life as we know it, and 80 degree weather in late January!!